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Updated: May 13, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

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Vestibular function in patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea.

Peter Brandt Sloth¹, Emil Krogsgaard², Dan Dupont Hougaard^2,3

¹Department of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark. pbsloth@hotmail.com.

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology : Official Journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : Affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

|May 11, 2026

Summary

Vestibular hypofunction affects 6.9% of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) patients, with no link to OSA severity. However, it is associated with heart conditions and a higher number of comorbidities.

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Area of Science:

Otolaryngology
Neurology
Sleep Medicine

Background:

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent condition affecting millions globally.
Vestibular hypofunction, a condition characterized by reduced vestibular function, can significantly impact quality of life.
The relationship between OSA and vestibular function remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To determine the prevalence of vestibular hypofunction in adult patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
To investigate potential correlations between vestibular hypofunction and the severity of OSA, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) scores, and the presence of comorbidities.

Main Methods:

A prospective cohort study involving 175 adult subjects with diagnosed OSA.
Comprehensive video head impulse (vHIT) testing was performed on all participants.
Subjects completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) questionnaire for self-reported dizziness impact.

Main Results:

The prevalence of vestibular hypofunction among OSA patients was found to be 6.9%.
No significant correlation was observed between vestibular hypofunction and the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) or DHI scores.
Vestibular hypofunction showed a significant correlation with the presence of a heart condition and an increased number of comorbidities.

Conclusions:

Vestibular hypofunction is present in 6.9% of adult OSA patients.
The degree of OSA severity and DHI scores were not found to be correlated with vestibular hypofunction.
A significant association exists between vestibular hypofunction and cardiac comorbidities, as well as a higher burden of comorbidities in OSA patients.